“Keenan Bishop and the quiet life” was produced during the 2023 Picture Kentucky Workshop in Frankfort, Kentucky, where students were randomly assigned subjects in the area to follow and complete a photo story over the course of four days.
Originally from Paris, Kentucky, Keenan Bishop, 59, is Franklin County’s agriculture and natural resources extension agent for the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, though his job makes up only a small portion of his life.
When he’s not working in the office, he can often be found performing other jobs on various farms, which is where he said he feels most comfortable and at home.
Keenan describes himself as an introvert, though you would never guess it if you met him considering how easy it is for him to have a conversation with everyone he meets. At first glance Keenan could seem closed off, but under the surface is a warm, friendly individual who enjoys joking around and forming strong connections with others.
Ultimately, however, Keenan greatly prefers the time he gets to spend alone on the farm or with his family.
“Being an introvert, it takes stuff out of you when you have to be with other people and interact and stuff; it drains you, whereas you go home and you get recharged,” he said. “When the kids were home, that was probably one of the better parts of life: raising kids.”
The parents of two daughters, Keenan and his wife Leslie are now empty-nesters, but family remains to be an important part of Keenan’s life, and the same can be said about how important Keenan is to the rest of his family and those who know him well.
Just down the road from Keenan lives his 83-year-old father, Reid Bishop. Keenan takes much of the responsibility for caring for his elderly father and the property he lives on, saying that he tries to visit every night if he can to check up on the livestock, take care of the farm and spend time with Reid as well.
The farm is covered with old cars and trucks that Keenan hopes to fix up with his father one day.
A homebody at heart but a friend to all, Keenan’s relationship with his family and his community shows the love and passion he holds for what he does and the fundamental values that his lifestyle revolves around.
Jack KalloghlianKalloghlian • Dec 3, 2023 at 11:40 am
Excellent job Rana. Very nice work.